Apropos of earlier discussions that assignment in Python is about giving names to objects, and not putting those objects in boxes, here's a blog post raising the alarm that Python (among others) is "completely incompatible with mathematics".
https://blogs.ams.org/matheducation/2017/01/09/integrating-computer-science-in-math-the-potential-is-great-but-so-are-the-risks/ Excerpt: === Making matters worse, programming languages like Java, JavaScript, Python, Scratch and Alice all rely on the concept of assignment. Assignment means that a value is “stored in a box”, and that the value in that box can be changed. Here’s a simple JavaScript program that demonstrates this: x = 10 x = x + 2 The first line of code assigns the value 10 into a box named “x”. The second line reads the value back out, adds 2, and assigns the new value back into x. When the program finishes, x contains the value 12. Unfortunately, the semantics and syntax are completely incompatible with mathematics! In math, names are given to values, not boxes. === Following Kenneth Iverson, I think pre-computer math notations (MN) could benefit a lot from an infusion of ideas from these newer executable languages. He turns around the criticism of x = x + 2 by pointing out the ambiguity on in conventional math notation (MN): === MN uses the symbol = for a relation, but also uses it for assignment, as in the expression (Let) x=3. Again, to denote these two distinct notions without ambiguity, programming languages use distinct notation (that usually includes the symbol =), as in := (in ALGOL), and =: (in J). === http://www.jsoftware.com/papers/camn.htm Drawing a line in the sand and saying "on this side is programming" whereas "on this other side is math notation", seems more a bureaucratic maneuver than anything. There's a protection racket going on where self-appointed authorities are planning to warn us against "doing it wrong" i.e. not their way. Many bogus certifications will follow. Not that we shouldn't have standards. The question is who's. math = math + cs Kirby
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